Stay family thanks community for donations, says to give to others

By Bobby Blanchard

Updated 6:54 pm, Monday, August 11, 2014

Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff

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Cassidy Stay, right, lone survivor of the mass shooting of her parents and siblings, gestures to supporters after speaking at a community memorial celebrating the lives of the Stay family at Lemm Elementary School Saturday, July 12, 2014, in Spring. She is seated next to her uncle Roger Lyon. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Cassidy Stay, right, lone survivor of the mass shooting of her parents and siblings, gestures to supporters after speaking at a community memorial celebrating the lives of the Stay family at Lemm Elementary ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff

Stay family thanks community for donations, says to give to others

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Organizers trying to help Cassidy Stay, the 15-year-old whose family was shot to death, allegedly by an estranged relative, are now asking potential donors to help others in need, saying the $400,000 collected is enough.

"We have reached an amazing milestone on a fundraising site and wish to close it as we acknowledge our infinite appreciation to all who have contributed," a statement from her relatives said. "The generosity of the local, state, national and even global community has humbled us beyond our ability to convey. At this time we hope everyone will continue to reach out to those in our various communities with the same care and love that has been shown to us."

A gofundme.com fundraising page said more than 7,000 people had given a total of $400,090 to help the teen.

Stay was the sole person to survive deadly gunfire at her home on July 9. Police said Ronald Haskell, 33, was looking for his estranged wife at the home when he shot Cassidy and relatives, killing her parents and four siblings. She survived by pretending to be dead, and then ran to a neighbor's house, who called police. Haskell was arrested a few hours later and has since been charged with six counts of capital murder.

The family's statement said the donations had been "a source of light."

"Together, you have proven that even the worst acts of one individual are swallowed up by the endless good that has been poured out by the many," the statement said. "It is time for us as a family to develop a new routine, keeping our lost loved ones in our heart as we make a new path."

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